Real-time temporal maximum-intensity-projection imaging of hepatic lesions with contrast-enhanced sonography.

Abstract

We sought to perform a preliminary evaluation of temporal maximum intensity projection (MIP) of focal hepatic masses in selected patients. The technique processes real-time contrast-enhanced sonography images by integrating the path of moving bubbles to depict vascular morphology. Following a high-intensity ultrasound pulse that disrupts bubbles within the scan plane, MIP images the trajectories of fresh bubbles replenishing the plane and revealing their course. Vascular morphology is depicted at a level or detail not seen before with sonography. High-frame-rate sequences of less than one second uniquely show arterial structure in liver lesions.